Control system and apparatus



J1me 1942- A. A. COLLINS CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 8, 1939 I Gulf/644w 61; I Ga a 5:1

ATTORNEY June 1942- A. A. COLLINS I 2,285,414

CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 8, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In" [ll INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 9, 1942. A. A'. COLLINS 2,285,414

CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 9, 1942.

A A. COLLINS CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 8, 1939 M0701? 4N0 IPEZA Y Paws/P su 1 Y /bl Z INVENTOR GLtKY M/p 61,, @ofl im BY 6 fiTOR N EY June 1942- A. A. COLLINS CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS 5 Sheets-She; 5

Filed Nov. 8, 1959 INVENTOR Gar/@444, (9b 80% BY ATTORNEY Patented June 9, 1942 CONTROL SYSTEM APPARATUS Arthur A. Collins, cedar Rapids, Iowa. Application November 8, 1939, Serial No. 303,491 1944 I instances to illustrate additional structure; Fig.

Ill Claims.

My invention is directed broadly to control apparatus and more particularly to a combined shaft positioning and function control system, and apparatus therefor.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a shaft positioning system of simplified form employing a single motor drive and novel selector cam and stop means.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic radio tuning device having an electrical control system combined with means for selectively controlling the functioning of the radio apparatus.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a shaft positioning system with selector cam means and the shaft actuated from a common drive shaft in coordinated relation in a predetermined sequence of operations.

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of shaft positioning means comprising a selector device and shaft driving means in a combination structure including separate slip clutch devices for permitting independent functioning of the selector device and shaft driving means in certain stages of the shaft positioning operation.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electrical control system for shaft positioning apparatus of the type described for operation by a dial type impulse switch and comprising a minimum of motor and sequence control relays.

Another object of my invention is shaft positioning system for radio tuning device and an electrical control system therefor operated by a dial type impulse switch and including relay means operative from the same dial type impulse switch for controlling the functioning of the radio apparatus.

A further object of my invention is to provide an electrical control system for a shaft position ing system of the type described operative from I a multipoint manual selector switch.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the apparatus and control systems hereinafter described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an assembly of a number of shaft positioning devices of my invention adapted for setting the tuning elements of a' radio transmitter for operation at selected frequencies, with different devices shown partly in section or disassembled to illustrate the construction; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the assembly I L to provide a shown in Fig. 1 with parts broken away in certain 3 is a side elevational view of one .of the shaft positioning devices supported onthe assembly base; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the selector cam and stop ring drum assembly taken substantially on line H in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 in Fig. 4 Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the main clutch assembly, taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of the slip clutch mounted in connection with one of the selector cam shafts; Fig. 8 is a. detail vertical sectional view taken on line 88 in Fig. 7 Fig.

- 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the mechanical arrangement in the system of my invention by which the operation may be more clearly understood; Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of the impulse actuated electrical control system of my invention including function changing means; and Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the manual selective electrical control system of my invention.

My invention as disclosed is adapted to a radio transmitter construction having a number of tuning elements each of which has a rotatable shaft to which the shaft positioning device of my invention is connected. All the shafts are simultaneously positioned, each in any one of ten positions independently determined to tune the transmitter to ten different operating frequencies. It will be understood that the number of tuning elements may be varied, and also that the number of different predetermined settings may be more or less than the ten positions provided for in the present embodiment of my invention. The

control circuits for operation of the shaft positioning devices are automatic in their functions, and may be operated by means of a dial type impulse switch in one arrangement or a manual selector switch in another arrangement.

' A further feature of my invention as adapted to the control of a radio transmitter is the provision of function changing means operative from the same dial type impulse switch employed for automatic tuning. 'In such arrangement a conditioning operation is effected prior to the operation resulting in a change offunction without in any instance affecting the set tuning of the apparatus. The function changes made in the transmitter may be the switching of the power supply on or off, or the switching of the circuits of the transmitter from "CW to phone" operation, and vice versa, or similar operational modifications as distinguished from change in frequency which is effected by the shaft positioning features of my invention.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the assembly shown in Figs, 1 and 2 includes a base I, preferably of cast metal having internal studs and sections variously adapted to support the bearings, pins and bolts employed in my inventlon. The upper or outer portion of the base I, Fig. 1, supports an electric motor 2 and a number of shaft positioning combinations each including a stop-ring drum assembly 3, a cam drum assembly 4, and a series of pawls pivotally mounted on a common stud bolt 8. Each stopring drum assembly 3 is mounted on an instrument shaft 1 which has a stop arm 8 rigidly connected therewith and engageable with a stop pin 9 fixed in the base I to define a "home position for the instrument shaft 1. The stop-ring drum assembly 3 has an index dial Ill mounted at the outer end of the assembly on a level with a. cover plate I2 which bears an index mark |2a correlated with the index markings on the dial ID. The cover plate I2 is supported by stud bolts I4, I5, from the base I and contains a bearing I6 for the upper end of a countershaft I1, the shaft of the cam drum assembly 4, and also receives the upper terminus of the stud bolt 6. The pawls 5 mounted on the bolt 6 are individually spring biased by the spring wire elements I8 which pivot on a bar I9, mounted between the base I and the plate I2, and are tensioned by bearing on the supporting bolt I5.

There is an individual pawl 5 and coacting spring I8 for each of the stop-rings 28 in the stop-ring drum assembly 3, and a corresponding individual drop cam 2| in the cam drum assembly 4. Fig. 3 illustrates the shaft positioning combination in side elevation as viewed from outside the base I, and shows the correspondence of individual pawls 5, stop-rings and' actuating drop cam elements 2| in the cam drum assembly 4, there being provision for ten different positions of the instrument shaft I which carries the stop-ring drum assembly 3.

Within the base I, Fig. 2, are housed the main drive shaft 23 which is connected with the motor 2 by bevel gears 24, 25, and the individual means by which the several shaft positioning combinations are driven, each including a worm 25 and a worm gear 21 which is connected with the clutch housing 28 as shown-more clearly in Fig, 4. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on a line passing through both shafts 1 and I1 to illustrate the cooperative action thereof. The shaft 1 to be positioned is driven from the clutch housing by the cooperating clutch member 29 secured to the shaft at the pin 30, the worm gear 21 and an associated spur gear 3| being rotatable with respect to the shaft 1 on the bearing 32 when relative movement takes place between the clutch elements 28 and 29. Spur gear 3| meshes with a coacting spur gear 34 which rotates loosely on the bearing 35 on shaft |\1 and carries a pin 36 engageable with a dog 31 which is secured with respect to shaft I1. The shaft I1 is driven by the action of pin 38 against the dog 31, as will be explained in detail.

The stop-ring drum assembly 3 comprises a supporting sleeve member 38 having a key slot 38a which receives projections formed on spacers 39 disposed intermediate the stop-rings 20, mounted on the sleeve member 38. The spacers 39 and stop-rings 20, together with the dial III, are secured on the sleeve member 38 by nut 40 which need only be loosened to permit adjustment of any one or several of the stop-rings 28; the keyed spacers prevent movement of adjacent stop-rings when one is adjusted. The lower end of the stop-ring drum assembly 3 is keyed to engage the arm 8 to prevent relative rotation of the assembly with respect to the shaft 1, and the upper end of the assembly is engaged by a bolt 4| to retain the assembly in position. Other stop-ring drum assemblies 3 may be conveniently substituted for the assembly in position by removing bolt 4| and the sleeve member 38 with its assembled elements, whereupon the substitute stop-ring drum assembly may be mounted in position to afford a different selection of shaft positions according to the calibrated settings of the stop-rings in the substituted assembly. Each stop-ring drum assembly has the sleeve member 38 formed as at 38b at the upper end for engagement by a tool for manual tuning of the instrument in the event such operation may be required.

The cam drum assembly 4 comprises end members 42 and 43 mounted between a collar 45 and a nut 45 on shaft I1, with a sleeve 41 and the required number of cams2| clamped therebetween. Each cam has a drop section for receiving the riding portion of the coacting pawl 5, and the drop sections of the several cams are displaced nominally 30 from adjacent drop sections, a measurement correlated with the spacing of contacts on a control switch to be described, which is driven in synchronism with the shaft I1 and the several cam drum assemblies so that any one contact corresponds to the operating position of one pawl in each of the shaft positioning combinations.

The clutch elements 28 and 29 constitute a torque limiting drive and provide a slip clutch which allows the drive means to continue after the shaft is positioned. The drive for the stop ring drum may continue to run after a given unit has positioned, thus allowing several units to be operated by a single drive.

Fig. 5 illustrates the operated position of one pawl 5a under the action of spring I8a, with the drop cam 2|a in position to permit the pawl to move into the path of stop-ring 28a.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the main drive clutch on shaft 1, Fig. 4, and shows the form of the clutch member 29 within the housing 28. A clutch lining is provided at 48. The clutch is of the wrapping or tangential type so devised that the turning force tends to unwrap the flexible clutch band 29 against the fixed tension of a spring 49, arranged to maintain the flexible clutch band 29 in contact with the clutch lining 48. The maximum turning force obtainable is equal to the spring tension; and the minimum is dependent upon the coeflicient of friction and the arc of contact of the clutch facings, but such minimum force is designed to be more than adequate to turn the instrument connected with shaft 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a secondary slip clutch, also of the wrapping or tangential type, employed in connection with the main drive shaft23, Fig. 2, preferably through the worm and worm gears 26, 21, and spur gears 3| and 34 of one of the shaft positioning combinations, to control the operation of a limit switch 50 which functions to terminate the automatic operation of the system as will be described. Fig. 8 shows one arrangement by which the clutch may be combined with a modified form of the spur gear 34, but it will be understood that by suitable gear ratios the clutch may be separately driven from the main drive shaft 23, or motor 2, to operate switch 56.

As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the gear 34 is provided with an upstanding portion 340 having a peripheral clutch facing Pin 36, dog 31 and shaft II are in the same relation as above described in connection with Fig. 4. An outer ring 52 provides a coacting clutch surface engaged with the clutch facing 5!. The ring 52 is essentially flexible and is held in contact with the clutch facing 5| by the action of spring 53. The ring 52 has an extended lug portion 52a engageable upon rotation in opposite directions with one or the other of stop pins 54 and 56. The position shown is the normal resting position of the clutch ring 52, the lug portion 520 being in abutment with stop pin 54, in which position the limit switch 56 is actuated by means connected with the lug portion 52:: to stop the driving motor. Movement of the clutch ring 52 is limited to an arc of approximately 210, arbitrarily selected as adequate to permit all instrument shafts in the system to be turned to set positions since such shafts ordinarily have a 180 range of variation. The limit of movement of the clutch ring 52 is determined by the position of stop pin 56 relative to the pin 54, which may be varied as required. The stop pins 54 and 56 are conveniently supported in the base I in the arrangement shown in 8.

Referring now to the diagrammatic illustration of the mechanical arrangement as shown in Fig. 9, the operation may be described in two main phases, forward and reverse operation of motor 2. In the forward operation are two steps: first,

return of the stop-ring drum assembly 3 to' "home position; and second, movement of the cam drum assembly 4 to selected position. In the reverse operation are two steps also: first, advance of the stop-ring drum assembly and its respective instrument shaft to set position; and second, continuation of the motor drive to a predetermined limit to condition the apparatus for subsequent operations.

In the forward operation, motor 2 drives worm gear 21 through gears 25 and 24, shaft 23 and worm 28, in the direction indicated by the arrow. Gear 3| and clutch element 28 are simultaneously rotated. Clutch element 29 follows element 28 and drives shaft 1 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, until stop arm 8 engages stop pin 9 with the stop-ring drum assembly 3 in home position. The instrument, indicated at 51, is connected with and rotated as is shaft I. At the same time, gear 3| drives gear 34 in clockwise direction, pin 36 moving in the clear through an arc of 210 while clutch ring 52 follows the movement of gear 34 also through an arc of 210, as best illustrated in Fig. 7. By this time shaft 1 is prevented from further counterclockwise movement by pin 9, and the clutch ring 52 is stopped by pin 56. Motor 2 continues to drive gears 21, 3| and 34, however, with the clutches slipping, to move pin 36 against the dog 31 to drive shaft I! and the cam drum assembly 4. Coupled with shaft I! is a tap switch 58, electrically connected in a control circuit as will be described and operative upon location on a selected contact to reverse the direction of rotation of motor 2. At this point, the cam drum assembly is set in accordance with the selected contact on the tap switch and one of the pawls 5a is dropped for engagement with. the corresponding stop ring 26a. It will be remembered that the various cam elements 2|, as described, are positioned in correlation with the spacing of the contacts on the tap switch 58, so that each contact corresponds to a pawl 5 and the selection of a contact means the operation of the corresponding pawl for engagement by the corresponding adjusted stop ring to establish the shaft 1 in a desired predetermined position,

Upon operation of switch 58 through the selected contact, motor 2 is reversed and pin 36 moves away from the dog 31, leaving switch 58 and the cam drum assembly 4 in selected position, and the clutch ring 52 also moves away from stop 56. The reverse movement is limited to 210 at the clutch ring 52 b engagement at that limit of the lug 52a with pin 54 and the operation of the limit switch 50 which disconnects the power supp y to motor 2. During this limited reverse movement, however, clutch elements 28 and 29 again rotate together, clockwise, stop arm 8 moves away from pin 8 and the stop-ring drum assembly and the instrument 5! move to set position with stopring 26a engaged with the selected pawl 5a. For the remainder of the 210 range of movement, clutch elements 28, 29, slip and only gears 21, 3| and 34, with clutch ring 52 are driven at the conclusion of the cycle.

Various automatic circuit arrangements may be devised for control of the apparatus thus described and I have disclosed two such arrangements as part of my invention; one is an automatic circuit initiated in operation by current impulses from a dial type switch and includes further specific features, and the other is a simplified circuit initiated in operation by direct manual selection of an operating circuit.

Referring to Fig. 10, the various devices illustrated schematically are of conventional form; the relays, dial and rotary switches are of types used in telephone circuits and may be arranged in compact form in a minimum of space. The source of power for the relays is shown as having one terminal grounded at 59, and the other terminal variously connected with the several relays the circuits of which are completed in accordance with the desired sequence of operations. Reference character 60 designates a dial type impulse switch capable of sending any number of impulses between one and eleven, inclusive. An impulse relay 6| is controlled by the impulse switch 60, and its contacts 6la-b operate the stepping magnet 62 of a four bank, twenty-five position rotary switch, 63a, 63b, 63c, 63d, through a circuit from the magnet 62 through normally closed contacts 6411-17 of a motor starting relay 64, the contacts Gla-b of the impulse relay 6|,

and normally closed contacts 65a-b of a homing relay 65, to ground.

The stepping magnet 62 has back contacts 62 17 connected in an auxiliary circuit from the magnet 62 through contacts 65d-e of the homing relay 65, and the contacts of switch bank 63a to ground, for stepping the switch banks 63ad to home position by self impulsing upon operation of relay 65. The stepping magnet also has contacts 62 -11 for operating a slow release disconnect relay 6'! upon the start of a cycle of operation of the system.

Motor' 2 is illustrated as a three phase motor energized from an appropriate source connected at 68 with circuits through contacts 640-11 and of motor starting relay 64, and through contact 69abc and 69d-e-,f of a motor reversin'g relay 69. Relay 641s energized by the circuit from the relay through contacts Illa-b of a time delay relay l and the contacts 1-10 on switch bank 63b, to ground; and relay 64 has a holding circuit paralleled with the contacts of switch bank 631) at contacts 50a-b of limit switch 50 which are closed after the motor has started. Motor reversing relay is energized by the circuit from the relay through the motor driven selector switch 58, switch bank 63d, and contact G'ld-e of disconnect relay 61, to ground; and relay 69 has a holding circuit through its own contacts 69g-h to ground through the limit switch 50.

Homing relay 65 is energized simultaneously with the motor reversing relay 69 by connection from the relay 65 through switch bank 630 to relay 69 and thence through the same circuit therefrom through switch 58, switch bank 63d, and contacts 6'ld-e to ground. Relay 65 has a holding circuit through its own contacts 65f-9 and the switch bank 63a to ground, releasing when the rotary switch 63H has returned to home position, shown.

Disconnect relay 6'! is energized by stepping magnet contacts 62cd as described, and holds over between and after the stepping impulses by virtue of its slow release operation. Relay 6'! is also operated upon the operation of homingrelay 65 through contacts 650-?) thereof. Relay 61 operates to disconnect ground from the switch bank 63b through its contacts 6l0 b and from switch bank 63d through its contacts BIdP-e, while stepping operations take place in the rotary switch to prevent false operation of interconnected circuits.

Time delay relay I0 is energized through contacts Glc-b of the disconnect relay 51, and is a slow release relay the contacts of which are interposed in the circuit of the motor starting relay 64 to prevent false operation of the relay 64 and motor 2 when the rotary switch is impulsed to the same position for which the circuits are already conditioned, that is, where switch 58 affords a circuit for the reversing relay 69 and the homing relay 65, and the momentary pause introduced by relay allows relay 65 to operate and the system to return to rest without motor 2 having been energized.

An additional circuit for motor reversing relay 69 is provided for in contacts 'ilab of a slow operating relay ll connected directly across the power supply. The circuit is from relay 69 through contacts Ila-b and through contacts 50wb of the limit switch 50 to ground. The function of the relay II is to prevent false operation of the motor relays in case of a power interruption where, should it occur after the rotary switch 63a-d had been homed but before the cycle had been completed, only relay 54 would operate when power was restored and the motor would continue to run indefinitely if relay 'II were not used. No impulses can be received by magnet 62 while relay 64 is operated, contacts 84a-b being open. Relay 69 is reoperated therefore through the normally closed contacts Ha-b and establishes its holding circuit through contacts 69yh. before relay ll operates. In the normal usage of the system, relay H operates while the rotary switch is stepped to the dialed position, and substantially before relays 6'! and ID are released to operate relay 64 i and motor 2 to close the contacts Silo-b of the limit switch, so that its presence does not affect the normal operation of the system.

It will be noted that the shaft positioning system of ten possible selections utilizes only the contacts 1-10 inclusive of the rotary switch bank 63d. Contact 11 is open on each bank 63b, 63c, and 53d, but Joined in the common connection through contacts 1-24 in the bank 63a for selfstepping the rotary switch to homedposition, shown, contact 25 being reserved in all banks for the home position. Contacts 12-24 of bank 63b are joined for operating the homing relay 55 in this phase of the system, the circuit being from the relay through the switch bank 63b and contacts filo-b of relay 61, and through contacts 500-17 of the limit switch 50 which is not operated in this phase of the system. contacts 12-24 of switch bank 630 are not employed.

Contacts 12-22 of switch bank 63d, however, are available for operation of various relay circuits adaptable for auxiliary purposes such as change of function in a radio transmitter where the same impulse relay system is employed in an automatic arrangement for tuning the transmitter on a selected frequenccy, ten of which may be provided. In Fig. 10, I have shown relay i2 energized by the circuit through contact 63d12 and contacts G'Id-e to ground, with the contacts l2ae-b adapted to close upon operation of the relay 12. A similar circuit may energize relay "[3, through contact B3cL--13, whereby contacts l3a-b are adapted to be opened. A similar circuit may be employed to energize relay 14, through contact 63d20, with contacts Ha-41 adapted to be closed and contacts 'I4c-d arranged to establish a holding circuit for relay 14 through contacts ISa-b of a separate relay l5, Relay I5 in turn may be operated by a similar circuit, through contact 63d21 for opening contacts I5a-b and releasing relay 14. These latter two relays I4, 15, may be employed to control the application of power to and the disconnection of power from the'radio transmitter 16 at the beginning and end, respectively, of periods of operation, as indicated.

For operation of the motor 2 to set the instrument shaft or shafts in a desired position by means of the dial controlled system illustrated in Fig. 10, the proper number of impulses is produced by dialing, say #6, at the switch SI]. Each of the four switch banks 63a-d steps up to contact #6, and simultaneously relay 6'! has been operated to open the circuits through banks 63b and 63d, and relay 10 is operatedto prevent immediate operation of motor starting relay 64.,

When the switch banks are in established positions, relays 61 and 10 open after a momentary delay and motor starting relay 64 is operated to energize the motor 2 to drive in the forward direction, Fig. 9. The first main phase of the mechanical operations is then effected as hereinbefore described, ending with the closing of switch 58 on the selected contact, #6 in the example taken. Motor reversing relay 69 is then operated, and the second main phase of the mechanical operations is effected, as hereinbefore described.

As the motor 2 is energized and begins to turn, the movement of clutch ring 52 throws the limit switch 50 to close the holding circuits for the motor relays 64 and 69. At the time switch 58 is stopped on the selected contact, #6, and motor reversing relay 69 is operated, the homing relay 65 is also operated and the circuit to the stepping magnet is completed at the contacts 55d--e to return the rotary switch to starting or home position. Relay 6! is again operated to open the circuits through banks 63b and 53d to prevent false connections. Relays 64 and 69 remain operated while the motor continues its reverse running and release when the limit switch 50 is operated at the conclusion of the second main phase of the mechanical sequence, whereupon the circuits are in condition for the next cycle of operation.

Where it is desired to operate one of the auxiliary relays 1215 or the circuits connected to any of the contacts in the switch bank 6311 between #12 and #22, inclusive, a first dialing oper-.

ation is performed to produce eleven impulses to set the switch banks on the open contacts #11 in the banks 631), 63c and 63d. Relays 61 and Ill operate as before during this function and the motor relay circuits are not affected. Then the impulses required for the desired operation are produced at switch 60, say nine, which will step the rotary switches up to contacts #20. Relays 61 and 10 subsequently release, homing relay 65 being operated through switch bank 63b, contacts filo-b of relay 61, and contacts SOc-b of limit switch 50, whereupon the rotary switch steps up to starting or home position. Release of relay 10 is uneventful, as the circuit to the motor starting relay 64 is open at the switch bank 63b; the circuit to the motor reversing relay 69 is open at the switch bank 630, the contacts #12-24 of which are isolated from the contacts #1-10. The circuit to relay 14 is completed through contact 63d-20 and contacts Gld-e of relay 61, before the self-stepping action at switch bank 63a returns the rotary switch to home position.

The schematic diagram of Fig. 11 illustrates the simplified circuit for automatic operation of the shaft positioning system under control of a manual selector switch 16. This arrangement is preferable in certain applications, as in aircraft radio apparatus, where weight and bulk are pertinent factors. The motor 2' in Fig. 11 is a direct current motor connected with the same source of power which supplies the relays with energy, through terminals 18. The limit switch 19 and a motor reversing relay 80 together with a modified motor driven selecter switch '58 complete the system elements.

The motor 2' comprises a field winding 8| and an armature 82. The field winding is connected directly to one terminal 18 at one end, and through contacts I9a-b or contacts 80a-b to the other terminal at the opposite end, depending upon which relay 79 or 80, is operative. The

armature 82 has its terminals connected with When'switch I6 is placed on a contact other than that for which the apparatus has previously been operated, the relay 19 is energized by the circuit through both switches 16 and 58' and motor 2' operates in theforward direction of Fig. 9 to effect the first main phase of the mechanical operation, ending with switch 58' breaking the circuit at the contact corresponding to the selected contact in the manual selector switch 16. Relay is is thus deenergized, which closes contacts 19c-d and not only connects the motor armature 82 to the opposite terminal of the source but also completes a circuit through relay 80 from the other terminal of the source, a circuit which has been conditioned by the closing of contacts Ellab at the limit switch when motor 2' began to run. Operation of relay 80 completes the motor circuit for reverse operation through contacts Bile-b-c, and the second main phase of the mechanical cycle of operation is effected as described in connection with Fig. 9, at the conclusion of which limit switch 50 is opened and relay 80 is deenergized with the system instarting condition. A pilot lamp 83 is provided in shunt with the relay 80 for indicating its energization; the lamp 83 is disconnected with relay 80 by limit switch 50 and thus indicates the termination of the setting operation so that the controlled apparatus may then be utilized.

When the system of Fig. 11 is employed for tuning a radio transmitter, as disclosed, the opposite contact 50c'of the limit switch 50 may be employed in a circuit including means operative to eliminate radio frequency carrier current from the antenna during the tuning operation.

the scope of my invention, and that no limitations upon my invention are intended except as are imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States isas follows:

1. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft to be positioned, a torque limiting drive for said shaft, a stop-ring drum assembly mounted on the shaft to be positioned,

a cam drum assembly, a series of pawls disposed between said stop-ring drum assembly and said cam drum assembly, each pawl being individually actuated by a separate cam for engagement with a corresponding individual stop ring, and means for driving said cam drum assembly and said stop-ring drum assembly in a predetermined sequence of operations for actuating a selected pawl 3 and for moving the corresponding stop ring into engagement therewith for setting said shaft in desired angular position.

2. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising, in

combination, a shaft to be positioned, a torque limiting drive for said shaft, a stop ring mounted in adjusted relation on the shaft to be positioned,

the path of said stop ring, and means for driving said cam for effecting movement of said pawl to operative position and for driving said stop ring into engagement with said pawl for setting said shaft in desired angular position.

3. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft to be positioned, a countershaft, slip clutch drive means for said shaft, dog

countershaft, means for reversing said motor drive means, and means for moving said shaft to be positioned, in reverse and independently of said countershaft, to set position as determined by the selected stop means.

4. Shaft positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 3 with stop means connected with said shaft to be positioned for limiting the extent of movement thereof during the forward direction of operation of said motor means.

5. Shaft positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 3 with automatic selective means driven in svnchronism with said countershaft and operative to control said reversing means.

6. Shaft positioning apparatus as set forth in claim 3 and including switch means connected with said motor means for terminating the operation thereof, and means for actuating said switch means coupled with said motor means and operated through a predetermined range of movement in the reverse operation of said motor means for actuating said switch means at the limit of said predetermined range of movement.

7. Shaft positioning apparatus at set forth in claim 3 with said plurality of differently adjusted stop means disposed between said shafts including a series of stop rings each adjusted to a selected position, a corresponding series of pawls individually engageable by the respective stop rings, and cam means for individually and selectively controlling the operation of said pawls.

8. Shaft positioning apparatus: as set forth in claim 3 with said plurality of differently adjusted stop means including a series of stop rings each adjusted to a selected position mounted on said shaft to be positioned, a corresponding series of pawls individually engageable by the respective stop rings and collectively mounted independently of said shaft and said countershaft, and coacting cam means mounted on said countershaft for individually and selectively controlling the operation of said pawls.

9. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising a base, a shaft to be positioned and a countershaft rotatably mounted in said base in cooperable relation, a stop-ring drum assembly mounted on' said shaft and a cam drum assembly mounted on said countershaft above said base, a series of spring actuated pawls pivotally mounted with respect to said base intermediate said stop-ring and said cam drum assemblies with said pawls riding on said cam drum assembly and individually controlled thereby for selective operation with respect to said stop-ring drum assembly, slip clutch drive means mounted on said shaft beneath said base, dog and pin drive means mounted on said countershaft beneath said base, and means for actuating both said drive means in common including a drive shaft beneath said base and motor means mounted on said base and connected with said drive shaft.

10. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising a base, a shaft to be positioned and a countershaft rotatably mounted in said base in cooperable relation, a stop-ring drum assembly mounted on said shaft and a cam drum assembly mounted on said countershaft above said base, a series of spring actuated pawls pivotally mounted with respect to said base intermediate said stop-ring and said cam drum assemblies with said pawls riding on said cam drum assembly and individually controlled thereby for selective operation with respect to said stop-ring drum assembly, a slip clutch for driving said shaft including a driving element mounted on said shaft and rotatable with respect thereto, a worm gear and a spur gear mounted on said driving clutch element and rotatable therewith, drive means coupled with said worm gear including a motor mounted on said base and a worm drive shaft interconnecting said motor and said worm gear, a second spur gear meshed with the first said spur gear and mounted on and rotatable with respect to said countershaft, and drive means for said countershaft including a driving pin mounted on said second spur gear and a coacting driven dog secured to said countershaft.

l1. Shaft positioning apparatus comprising, in combination, a shaft having a plurality of stop means connected therewith, a clutch drive for said shaft, selector cam means for actuating one of said stop means, reversible drive means common to both said shaft and said selector cam means and operable ot drive both said shaft and said selector cam means in the forward driving direction, and said shaft only in the reverse driving direction, and an electric control system conencted with said drive means and operative for reversing said drive means, said electric control system including selector switch means and coacting'tap switch means driven in synchronism with said selector cam means for establishing a control circuit for reversing said drive means.

ARTHUR A. COLLINS. 

